Maurice Quinlivan
Question:1044. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of WTE vacant homes officers employed, by local authority, in tabular form. [31351/24]
View answerTuesday, 23 July 2024
Questions (1044, 1065, 1069)
Pa Daly
Question:1065. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of WTE vacant homes officers employed, by local authority, in tabular form. [31506/24]
View answer
Patrick Costello
Question:1069. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the vacant homes action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31550/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1044, 1065 and 1069 together.
Addressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority for Government, as set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan, which I originally published in January 2023, built on Pathway 4 of Housing for All and set out the various actions that were being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes.
I recently published an update on the Action Plan a year on, which shows the significant progress that is being made. It is available here on my Department's website: gov - Vacant Homes Action Plan 2023-2026 (www.gov.ie).
In January 2022, my Department communicated with local authorities outlining that funding, made available since 2018 to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a Vacant Homes Officer (VHO), would be increased from €50,000 to €60,000 per annum, from mid-2022. This supports the commitment in Housing for All to ensure that the VHO role in each local authority is fulltime. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities, including through the important role of VHOs, to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction.
All 31 local authorities have a fulltime Vacant Homes Officer in place.
In acknowledgement of the administrative overheads for local authorities in managing the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the Ready to Build Scheme, the Department provides a supporting allocation of up to €180,000 to each local authority in respect of processing applications for both schemes, which are funded under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund.
VHOs across local authorities are supported in their work by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department.